Police and Attorney General confer about an audio recording involving Paetongtarn and Hun Sen
In a development that has sparked political and legal controversy in Thailand, an audio clip featuring a conversation between Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been leaked, triggering a series of investigations and legal actions.
The case, which is being handled with care due to its international implications, has been assigned to the Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Division (CCID 1). The Director of CCID 1 has been appointed as the responsible officer for the task force.
Key developments in the investigation, as of August 2025, include:
- The Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Division (CCID 1) submitted a sedition case against Hun Sen to prosecutors, accusing him of interfering in Thailand’s internal affairs through social media, based on the leaked audio clips.
- The complaint, filed by Somkid Chueakong, deputy secretary-general to the Thai Prime Minister, claims the audio post threatens national security and may constitute multiple offenses under Thai law. The case file was handed to public prosecutors for further legal action.
- The Attorney General of Thailand is actively involved, with prosecutors and police coordinating evidence gathering and legal steps, emphasizing a strict legal process owing to the case's sensitivity and the diplomatic implications.
- The case has sparked internal political controversy in Thailand, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra required to submit a defense to the Constitutional Court on allegations of disloyalty and ethical breaches related to the tone and content of the call with Hun Sen.
- The audio clip has also implicated Thai authorities in cooperating with Cambodian efforts to track down dissidents in Thailand, raising international and national security concerns.
Given these factors, the case transcends domestic legal matters and involves international relations, making it an international political and legal issue currently under judicial and prosecutorial review in Thailand. There is no specific timeline for the investigation’s conclusion due to the sensitive nature and ongoing diplomatic considerations.
The Attorney General has ordered the establishment of a task force to handle the case, and a meeting has been held between the prosecutors and CCID 1 to discuss the direction of the investigation. Prosecutors from the Investigation Office are joining the investigation to guide the process.
Calling Hun Sen to testify remains difficult, but witnesses are being considered for questioning as part of the investigation. The possibility of summoning the Prime Minister for questioning has been discussed.
The initial partial recording of the call showed Paetongtarn criticizing a Thai general and showing deference to Hun Sen. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (Cyber Police) has forwarded the case to the Attorney General, and the complaint was filed under national security laws due to the clip causing division among the Thai public.
As the investigation continues, the international community watches closely to see how Thailand will navigate this complex and sensitive issue.
- Due to its international implications, the investigation into the leaked audio clip between the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Cambodia is being handled with care and involves policy-and-legislation, politics, and international relations.
- The Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Division (CCID 1) has submitted a sedition case against Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, accusing him of interfering in Thailand’s internal affairs through social media, based on the leaked audio clips.
- The case has sparked internal political controversy in Thailand, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra required to submit a defense to the Constitutional Court on allegations of disloyalty and ethical breaches related to the tone and content of the call with Hun Sen.
- The investigation has implicated Thai authorities in cooperating with Cambodian efforts to track down dissidents in Thailand, raising international and national security concerns, and making it a general news issue of significant importance.
